Eimear Smyth lit up Croke Park last weekend as she guided her teammates to a third All-Ireland Junior Championship scoring 1-09 against Louth.

The Derrygonnelly native has been an unstoppable force in green and white this season and already had the ZuCar Golden Boot award in the bag before last Sunday’s game, but went on to bring her overall tally up to 8-48 in an outstanding individual campaign.

“It's a nice individual accolade but the one we wanted today was the All-Ireland final, to get that medal in the back pocket, it’s really special,” said the modest Smyth.

“Some days they go for you and some days they don’t. Today, thankfully I was able to contribute to the team, that’s the big thing. I thought we worked so hard all over the pitch.

"There were girls getting into positions to win the frees, I thought we coped really well with the pitch as well. We knew Louth were gonna come back at us and not gonna lie down in an All-Ireland final.

"Even the yellow card that Ciara (Clarke) got, I thought we weathered that quite well, in terms of that situation but it’s unbelievable to get over the line.”

The Harps forward was involved in the same team's meeting five years ago as The Wee County defeated The Ernesiders by 10 points.

However, times are different now with Smyth explaining that experience helped her and her teammates: “I suppose that hurt probably built-up years of experience.

"It seems so long ago now, five years, when you’re looking back, I was 16-17 (years old) at that time, so having that experience of playing in Croke Park probably stood to us.

"It’s a nice feeling to be on the other side, having been on the other side so many times.”

Smyth began the scoring last weekend and struck for a goal with less than 10 minutes played after Bláithín Bogue’s ball dropped into the square.

“I don’t know whether Bláithín was going for a point or a pass, I don’t know, I’ll let her say,” smiled Smyth.

“I couldn’t believe it then, I turned and had an open net. That probably settled us then as well into the game. It gave us a good platform to go and attack the game then.”

The 23-year-old also kicked the final score of Sunday’s contest as she was found by substitute, and sister, Bronagh Smyth to seal the win from an angle: “It's been a really special year with Bronagh coming into the panel, so, it’s been really competitive for places as well.

"I thought she did well when she came on, first time paying in Croke Park and not a bother to her really. She won a couple of balls and thankfully then I was able to put it over.

"It’s been really special and it’s a really proud day for our family as well, who have supported us right from when we were young now to here, so it’s really special to see that progression.”

Six of Smyth’s points came via free’s with any nerves limited by the full forward’s extensive preparation even despite playing on the biggest stage.

“One of the techniques is that I visualise a lot before, so I’ve been there, in my head, practicing in the weeks leading up to the game,” she explained.

“Even practicing in Derrygonnelly, I’m there standing in Croke Park, so, I suppose those first couple of frees are going to be nervy anyway, but once you get the first few over, then thankfully, you get into your stride and thankfully most of them went over today.”

When asked how often she practices her free-taking, she said: “It’s harder now during championship time when you have to look after your body a bit more, in terms of recovery.

"Over the winter, it’s something I really took on myself. I love going down to Canon Maguire pitch in Derrygonnelly and practicing frees, I love playing football, so, it’s a nice break away, to go down and clear the head, once or twice a week, whatever it may be, depending on the training schedule.

"I suppose on days like this, it makes it really, really special after putting in all that hard work.”